A number of Danes used a Chinese state visit in 2012 to express support for Tibet. (Photo courtesy: thelocal.dk)

(TibetanReview.net, Apr23, 2018) – Police in the Danish capital Copenhagen have announced a decision to compensate eight Tibet protesters, admitting serious mistake in subjecting them to rough treatment during Chinese state visits in 2012 and 2013, reported dr.dk Apr 18. Each will receive a compensation of 20,000 kroner.

“We are pleased that the police finally acknowledge that they violate our freedom of speech,” the report quoted Anders Højmark Andersen, chairman of Tibet Support Committee, as saying.

“The police have both acknowledged that they have to pay and acknowledged that they have violated those people’s human rights. So we’ve got what we’ve asked for,” he was quoted as saying.

During the Chinese state visits in 2012 and 2013, officers prevented the protesters from meeting and gathering within sight of the visiting Chinese leaders. They hid the protesters behind buses and snatched their Tibetan flag.

The Copenhagen police had previously decided to present their case in a court hearing. However, the city police chief, Anne Tønnes, has now acknowledged that the police committed serious mistakes both during the demonstrations and in the handling of the subsequent course, the report said.

“In a democracy, the police must protect the citizens’ fundamental rights. We must protect citizens’ freedom of speech and ensure freedom of assembly. We have not done that in this case,” Tønnes was quoted as saying.

Anders Højmark Andersen has expressed hope that the development will change the behaviour of the police.